Northland 2023
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Can understand Moorby is from Waikato etc, but I still think it’d be pretty shitty of him to bunk out after one season. He gave the Stags three years and that’s further from his homeland than us!
Not great from NRU with this one year deal business either, need to lock guys in for 2+ seasons minimum for continuity in building a team, which we seem to be doing in some aspects.
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With Milo Harris and Hape both already re-signed I wonder if that means Nock is moving on? Seems a little strange to have all 3 locked in so far out.
No real surprises so far. Moorby probably the biggest concern - would be good to get him locked in for a few seasons. Will be interesting to see if Ranger gets another contract
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@Chiefy07 nah pretty sure he is still signed with Northland, given he recently extended his stay at the Blues.
For me, they shouldnt be plugging gaps for that 3rd spot this far out, otherwise where is the incentive for any club players next year?
Zion Going stands out as someone who they need to be lookign closer at, plus are a couple of others out there too.
My understanding is Ranger is keen for another round, but I do hope if they do they set some targets for him to meet, and then look at him at the end of club season, unlike the back-to-front way they did things this year in setting fitness/weight targets, player x achieves them, signed before club season starts, then player x carries on his average journey when playing.
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Good news!
Ofa was taniwha #984, think a couple others made debuts after him, so creeping closer to #1000
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Been other good signings (Caird, Goodhue, Nock, Mau'u, Leilua) but pretty happy with these 2 young fellas sticking around, def ones for the future, Woods in particular could go all the way.
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NRU opts for the tried and tested in appointing new head coach
Former Taniwha player sets goals for the team as head coach.
A 2-year contract with Graham Dewes remaining as assistant coach.
A unanimous decision from the interview panel which included Leon McDonald.
How much of this season's improved performance can be attributed to the new Head Coach? -
@Pepe given he lead the defence and aside from 3 games in a row where we leaked alot, our defence was pretty staunch, and this is what got our season rolling with the wins over 'naki and Wellington, along with that epic win over Auckland, I think this is the right call.
Dewes also doesnt strike me as head coach material, seems to be a good technical coach, gets his forwards doing good work, but think he probably works better as someones assistant, his half time chats on TV are not great either...
Am hoping the next announcement will be Josh Moorby re-signing now, I had heard he was waiting for the appointment of the new coach, hopefully this is the one he was waiting for before he re-signed.
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I agree with your thoughts in regard to Dewes.
Do we know who any of the other applicants may have been? -
This is what I was hoping for. Good appointment. Keeping Dewes as assistant is good too
Agree @taniwharugby hopefully the next re signing is Moorby
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Josh Moorby has signed for another 2 years this will be announced early next week , absolutely wrapt the union got this one over the line
Also former NZ under 20 prop Rob Cobb has signed for 2 seasons , a really good pick up , was also being chased by Auckland..
There are a couple other super players that are in the mix that have reached out to Northland as well as a South American prop/hooker that will be suiting up for an Australian Super Franchise in 2023
Can’t elaborate to much on these selections at the minute , but if they can get all 3 of them across the line , things will definitely be on the up. -
@Steven-Harris said in Northland 2023:
Josh Moorby has signed for another 2 years this will be announced early next week , absolutely wrapt the union got this one over the line
Also former NZ under 20 prop Rob Cobb has signed for 2 seasons , a really good pick up , was also being chased by Auckland..
There are a couple other super players that are in the mix that have reached out to Northland as well as a South American prop/hooker that will be suiting up for an Australian Super Franchise in 2023
Can’t elaborate to much on these selections at the minute , but if they can get all 3 of them across the line , things will definitely be on the up.Santiago Medrano (Force)?
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@Stargazer you’ve got the right team , won’t show up on the original squad named but was signed around 10 x days ago.
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@Steven-Harris yep things are def moving in the right direction, some interesting names I have heard that are talking with northland.
Any news on other parts to coaching team, as in to replace Veale, who moved into Konias role, who was backs coach, while Veale and Dewes are forwards.
Maybe time for Hawkins to step in😛
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@taniwharugby the search for a backline/attack coach will not take place until the middle of 2023 .
I know moving forward , senior players like Dan Hawkins and Matt Matich are being viewed as possible future pathway coaches .
Both are well respected for mine I think it’s a great idea.Their will be several spots left open for club options which is a good thing , guys like
Coree Te Whata Colley ,Rene Ranger have been training the house down post season both knowing that S & C has to be way improved .
Corey if he can get his conditioning right would bolt into any super rugby squad and Rene was way below his normal playing weight this year .
Other players still in the mix are Kalani Going and Blake Hohaia, personally if I had to go anywhere I would go with Kalani on saying that if a certain player that I can’t mention gets out of his contract I probably can’t see a way in for either even more so if Jack Goodhue doesn’t end up in Black
Terepai King is also an option , but still requires more conditioning in and around size and strength.
Kali Vaipulu has the size and athletic ability but his last fitness test bronco was very poor ,hopefully he’s got the message
I suspect another 7 will come from the club comp ..Zac Shanks from Mid Northern and Taniwha futures a possibility.
